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Man Arrested For Abusing 5-Month-Old

COON RAPIDS, Minn. (WCCO) — Coon Rapids police have arrested a 25-year-old man following a report of abuse of a 5-month-old girl.

Authorities began an investigation Wednesday afternoon after an infant was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. Hospital officials diagnosed the baby with head injuries that are consistent with abusive trauma. The baby was transported to Minneapolis Children’s Hospital Thursday and was put on life support there.

The incident happened in the 12000 block of Flamingo Street NE in Coon Rapids.

Police arrested Joshua Allen Vanhoutan on Wednesday for malicious punishment of a child and first-degree assault. He is in custody at the Anoka County Jail awaiting criminal charges. Police said Vanhoutan is the child’s biological father.

Vanhoutan told police the baby was fussing, so he shook her in frustration. Police said it’s a classic case of shaken baby syndrome as the baby has brain injuries. Vanhoutan is expected to be charged Friday.